Validation of a menopause quality of life scale: the MENCAV scale.

Objective: To assess the criterion validity, construct validity and test-retest reliability of the MENCAV menopause quality of life scale.

Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study covering a random sample of 470 women aged 40-60 years. Two questionnaires were administered, namely, the MENCAV, made up of 37 items in 5 dimensions, and the SF-36. A confirmatory factorial analysis was performed, leaving a final scale with 35 items. To evaluate criterion validity, the relationship between the physical and mental health dimensions of both instruments was estimated. Two experts assessed 40 menopausal women and recorded the correlations with the MENCAV. Construct validity was evaluated by comparing the mean scores of menopausal and non-menopausal women for each of the MENCAV dimensions. To assess test-retest reliability, we estimated the correlation between MENCAV scores when the questionnaire was administered on two separate occasions, 2 weeks apart.

Results: The final questionnaire comprised 35 items divided into 5 dimensions. All dimensions displayed high levels of reliability, with Cronbach's alpha values ranging from 0.71 to 0.91, and Cronbach's alpha for the total scale being 0.89. The intraclass correlation was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.61-0.87). Correlations between the questionnaire and the SF-36 were significant; and those with the experts were significant for the physical, mental and sexual dimensions.

Conclusions: The MENCAV is a valid and reliable questionnaire for assessing quality of life in menopausal women.